Interacting with a mobile device within a vehicle using gestures

A mobile device for use within a vehicle, comprising:

• input functionality configured to receive image information regarding objects within a scene, the scene including, as part thereof, an interaction space, the interaction space projecting out a prescribed distance from the mobile device within the vehicle,
• the image information originating from one or more of:
• an internal camera device that is an internal component of the mobile device;
• and
• an external camera device that is a component of a mount which secures the mobile device within the vehicle;
• and
• the input functionality also including a gesture recognition module configured to determine whether a user has made a gesture within the interaction space, based on one or more of:
• depth information that is generated from the image information using a depth reconstruction technique;
• and
• the image information itself without consideration of the depth information,
• wherein the gesture comprises one or more of:
• (a) a static pose made with at least one hand of the user without touching the mobile device;
• and (b) a dynamic movement made with said at least one hand of the user without touching the mobile device.

A mount for holding a mobile device, comprising:

• a cradle for securing the mobile device;
• and
• an imaging member including external camera functionality, the external camera functionality comprising:
• at least one external camera device for receiving image information, the image information capturing a scene that includes an interaction space as part thereof, the interaction space comprising a volume having prescribed dimensions that projects out from the mobile device;
• and
• an interface for providing the image information to input functionality provided by the mobile device.